Can we please talk reality TV for just a minute? Tell me you’re watching this season of Million Dollar Decorators. It’s so completely ridiculous and excessive that I just can’t help but watch, amazed at how “the other half” live.
Did you see Tuesday night’s episode where Jeffrey Alan Marks was given the impossible challenge (at least, according to him) of decorating a Nantucket beach house using only product from catalogs? What?! No custom-made drapes? No custom-designed sofa? He was completely baffled. Well, you already know this got my feathers ruffled. Wouldn’t he be surprised to know how much of what he does could probably be (fairly well) duplicated from catalogs and chain decor stores?
He went into a West Elm and it was like a whole new world to him. He was grabbing stuff left and right, like he was at the Dollar Tree. (And, he strangely made a big to-do about eating a lollipop during the whole shopping trip. . . I guess that was to show us how casual he thought the whole thing was.)
The really crazy thing was that he did manage to order most of the furnishings from catalogs, but took it upon himself to add an $11,000 (not-so-amazing) designer bench at the end of the job and acted like it was a funny joke he was able to pull over on his client. (This all happened after they had a conversation about how her original budget was going to be have to be tripled.) He also did most of the accessorizing at a local antiques shop. (I need to take him to HomeGoods. He would think he was at Disney World!)
In the end, I thought the beach house was nice. Not spectacular, but pretty. My favorite spot was the small sitting room where he used two big square ottomans (from West Elm, of course) in front of a long sofa.
So here are my questions. . .
Are there really clients out there with budgets so big that they would find the humor in their designer buying an $11,000 bench when they specifically asked for all catalog, nothing custom? How does a designer build a good relationship with their client when they do those crazy things? How does a designer not get fired when the budget starts at $100,000 and extends to $300,000? Do you think this is all for TV, with Bravo footing the bill for the whole makeover?
Personally, I find that obscene! 11K on a bench? I personally think some people need to realize how good they have it, and rather than live over the top, need to look to those less fortunate, or give to research. You can't take it with you after all!!! And, chances are your heirs will just sell it off! Makes me sick, truthfully.
ReplyDeleteI thought the $11,000. bench was crazzzzzy as well. I would have been sooo ticked. Love to watch the show and imagine how much cheaper I could do that room for them and get the same look ... and I'm not even a designer. Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteI thought the $11,000. bench was crazzzzzy as well. I would have been sooo ticked. Love to watch the show and imagine how much cheaper I could do that room for them and get the same look ... and I'm not even a designer. Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of it is phoney and purely for entertainment. I find the show very offensive and have tried watching, but found it very embarrassing for the decorators and me. I agree with you, the house looks really plain to me, nothing spectacular at all, considering the designer and the show. I agree with Simply LKJ too - the whole thing is obscene - great post Emily! ;-))
ReplyDeleteI find this show totally engrossing and entertaining. I have to say, though, I think the male designers on it are far less in tough with reality and things like budgets. The ladies do beautiful work and have definitely grown on me personality-wise. I can't even fathom a $11k bench. Totally disrespectful.
ReplyDeleteI think we agree that these so called "REALITY SHOWS" are for pure entertainment, right? I must say that because I'm a lover of Design, I simply can't pull myself away from the television. However, I thought the $11k for the bench wasn't worth the trip at all! Love this post by the way!
ReplyDeleteI just thought it was hysterical how he couldn't BELIEVE the "great buys" at West Elm including the "genius" $200 rug that was just like the $8,000 one in his home. Duh. I can't wait to see how Martin's sister's gold floral-wallpapered pup turns out though. That show cracks me up.
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking the same thing. If I was ever so lucky to be blessed with that kind of budget I still wouldn't let my designer spend that kind of money on furniture. Absolutely crazy! And yes the bench was nothing spectacular anyways. I think a lot of the stuff on the show has to be written in for drama, but even knowing that I still tune in.
ReplyDeleteI am a MDD groupie, I love the show. I do have my favorites, but I enjoy seeing their process. I think most of it is for TV drama, but still entertaining. I loved the house he did, right up my alley, very well edited and handsome. The bench was a big joke, it has to be, it surely did not look worth that much. I think it would be a fun challenge to give them a normal or reasonable budget to do one room and make them do it truly from catalogs. I want to know where he got his lighting, Loved it all.
ReplyDeleteA whole different group of people than the normal, that is for sure!!
Kathysue
OMGosh Emily, I love to hate this show but I can't stop watching it! It's like a trainwreck and I can't look away! It really is insane how much people pay for things they could get at HomeGoods for 95% off what they paid. What a waste! I blogged about it too! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/2012/11/million-dollar-decorators-i-love-to.html
I really hate that show. I think many of the designers are talented, but their personalities are hideous. I used to think Mary McDonald created such amazing houses. Now I think she creates amazing houses and is a horrible person.
ReplyDeleteI saw this episode and was also disgusted with Jeffrey's attitude. I love this show and think Mary and Martin and Nathan are amazing, but Jeffrey has always gone over the top (in fact most of the time it's Ross that's the problem...ha!) I normally just try to the find the humor in their obscene budgets and ridiculous comments, but this really got to me. Hopefully my future clients hire me first because they trust me enough to stay on budget and give them something they love! I'm almost 100% sure Bravo doesn't fit the bill and these are real people paying for this. A few of the designers have come into my work in LA and they really are nice, so I think the overreacting and snark comments are most definitely for TV. (Except Jeffrey...I think he's always like that, even off the air. At least that's what I've heard from my boss!)
ReplyDeletePS. West Elm for the win :)
I don't believe it one bit, but it makes me laugh. Honestly, the house wasn't anything that great imo and it had nothing to do with the lack of custom furnishings. The two black mirrors over the doorways in the living room are kind of creepy, like eyes. I do love watching Mary McDonald though. I love her style.
ReplyDeleteHi Emily -
ReplyDeleteFirst, I LOVE this show! Like really LOVE it and I love Jeffery and Kathryn Ireland! I am definitely entertained by their attitudes and airs - I take it with a grain of salt.
Second, like many a 'reality' show, I think there is alot of staging going on.
Clients are TOUGH - but I always respect a budget. Fortunately, there clients with different budgets and designers willing to meet those budgets. Why do I always get the clients with no budgets??????
xo~Jill
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you touched on this show...sometimes I feel like the ONLY person who watches it, since most of my friends have no idea what I'm talking about when I bring it up in conversation! LOL Last night's episode was kind of ridiculous...although the house looked ok in the end, you can definitely tell when comparing this house with Jeffrey's other work that "catalog" decorating is WAY out of his comfort zone. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, WHAT did that bench have that could possibly make it work $11,000?? Insane! I can't wait for next week's season finale :)
Bravo actually foots the bill. Not all but most. They paid $200,000 to decorate Lohan's rental that she cannot even afford to pay. Who knows if this is true but I read it on The Cut.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Bravo pitches in something. It's more fun to pretend they don't, but that would explain why the clients aren't freaking out when they're "budget" suddenly triples...
DeleteHa, i'm watching this right now! I spoke to an interior designer author of mine who tells me that all of these projects are completely set up by Bravo. Don't know how much they pay for, but they set up and coordinate the whole thing. Not so real after all. Your stills of JAM's face are making me laugh!
ReplyDelete- dervla @ The Curator
I have a friend that works on the production of the show. It's all bought and paid for by Bravo.
ReplyDeleteI'll pretend I didn't hear that :)
DeleteSaw it,loved it and can't wait to see what happens next week with crazy Kathryn and crazy Lindsey!!
ReplyDeleteThanks to those who replied with the info about Bravo picking up the tab. If that's the case they are more than welcome to put an $11,000 nothing-spectacular bench in my house if they want to. Of course this explains the annoyingly nonstop product placement that goes on: One Kings Lane, Luxe Magazine, West Elm, etc.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be one hour long commerical but I watch it anyway to see what the decorators come up with. I can't stand the phoniness of Martyn and wish he weren't on the show.
ReplyDeleteI'm almost convinced he's really like that. It must be tiring.
DeleteI had to stop watching that show because it made me think hateful things ;) I really can't stomach that kind of ridiculousness. I think you could have done a MUCH better job decorating that space. Like you said it's pretty - but also really predictable - nothing uber fantastic about it and for what it cost - it should be AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteThese kind of shows give designers a bad name and make many of us terrifed to hire one. Who wants to be bullied and pay way too much, regardless of their budget. Thank heavens for blogs like yours that show a designer working her tail of to make it come in on budget and exceed the ideas the client had but still respect their likes and dislikes.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is much reality on "reality" tv. I suspect the homeowners sign a contract that allows for all kinds of deviations by the designer and they agree not to complain, at least where anyone can hear it. These homeowners do gain benefits for having their house used (they must!),after all the show must go on and they need a house to decorate. I don't understand anyone with a place on Nantucket directing a decorator to only use catalog items??? Have you seen the "joints" on Nantucket? That seems like a rather phony demand used to develop a premise for the show. Just my thoughts. Enjoy your blog!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the EXACT same things. JAM is sooooo snarky.
ReplyDeleteI don't watch this because I find them all so unbearable! I do love the Housewives, so this is a big departure for me. : )
ReplyDeleteI recently had a designer talking to me about how "cheap crap" Pottery Barn/West Elm stuff is and how she could find me much better things that would last a lot longer and I just nodded and pretended I was following. Pottery Barn IS the splurge for me - I find their quality great and I couldn't afford anything more than that price point.
I do like those ottomans from West Elm! And yes - I think that Bravo - or maybe the designer who went over budget in this case, is footing some of that bill.
I have to think that after the camera is off, a lot of the stuff goes back leaving the client with a half finished room. I know a lot of these type of shows are starting to get bad press as clients are complaining that only what goes on camera really gets finished (walls not completely painted, custom work not completely finished, etc).
ReplyDeleteI really detest reality shows for the most part, especially those awful housewives! I would much prefer to read a good book, watch a well-done movie or something more like Downton, or look at beautiful blogs in my rare spare time than to watch this sort of entertainment on TV. In looking at your photos above, I like the bedroom very much, but the two circular mirrors in the living space are unsettling. Interior design can be outrageously expensive, though. I visited the Pacific Design Center in LA once and was astounded at the prices of most ready-made furnishings on display there (obviously all could be custom made in terms of finishes, fabrics, etc)...but there were things like dining tables for 30K and up.
ReplyDeleteI just started reading your blog over the weekend and absolutely fell in love with it! You're taste is impeccable and I appreciate the fact that you keep things affordable. I completely agree with you on the Million Dollar Decorator fiasco. Those people are totally out of synch with society. Every time I watch, I think of how I could get the same items for a fraction of the price. Your blog proves that you don’t need a “million dollar” budget to achieve a “million dollar” look. I’m looking forward to being a loyal reader in 2013. :)
ReplyDeleteI must start watching this show! Sounds like some entertainment at best! I would def. die if my budget was xxx. In fact, I had a painter quote me $900 last summer. It ended up being $1000. I wanted to choke him for an extra HUNDRED dollars, not THOUSANDS! Ha!
ReplyDeleteIt is TV, dahhhhling. :)
ReplyDeleteAlthough there are people like this out there...the majority of the population would agree that it is ridiculously extravagant and unnecessary...why else would they make a show of it? It is good entertainment. That is my theory. Haha!
I rarely see MDD but I did happen to catch this episode. I can't think of a better way to waste $11,000 than on a bench that could have been purchased elsewhere for a tiny fraction of the cost. Like most "reality" shows, they are probably the most unrealistic part of our culture and should be viewed purely as entertainment!
ReplyDeleteI watched it last night and was cracking up at his face when she said we wanted him to order all from the catalogs. But I have to say my most favorite space what with the graphic ottomans- the rest of it was just- ehh. But can I just say Kathryn Ireland annoys the crap out of me! Maybe its because I can not relate to anything she does in decorating-its like Suzanni vomits all over the house and then she tops it with some peonies and lace and walks away. and Martin- dahhhh-ling but yet I still watch it and come back for more. I guess it helps me feel more grounded when I watch it. LOL
ReplyDeleteIf you spend $11,000 of my money on one item for my home, it better be the most fabulous thing I have ever seen and I better die every time I lay eyes on it. That bench did not do it for me. But I love MDD because they are all so riduculous and they make me laugh. And occasionally I get to see some great interiors!
ReplyDeleteWell, that was the first episode of that show I've ever seen and I was in shock that they spent $900 on that piece of pottery on the table. Makes me want to move up there and open a shop! I'm going to assume the bench has a trap door and it is filled with $100 bills.
ReplyDeleteHow do I not know about this show?!?! MUST. WATCH. These people sound completely insane. Wow.
ReplyDeleteSarah
I didn't catch that episode yet, but I saw the previews and couldn't believe how astonished he was that she wanted to buy catalog furniture. I can see building a really special custom piece, but the whole room?? I think having things custom made makes his job easier because he doesn't have to shop around for the look he wants. In the end, his clients pay for it with those crazy prices. $11k. Eeeks!
ReplyDeleteJeffrey Alan Marks is a hack. He is all that is wrong with the design world. He could not decorate his way out of a paper bag. AAAAck!
ReplyDeleteOMG - I LOVE this post! I actually was thinking the exact same thing while I was watching it. What could possibly make that bench worth $11K?! I'm not at all surprised to read above that Bravo foots the bill, but I have to imagine he is somewhat embarrassed to be such a tool on TV.
ReplyDeleteI haven't watched this show, but may have to find it just to see how crazy the designers and their clients are. That's a stunning amount of money!!!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the honesty on ur post. Honestly, most of the elements in that room resemble me Ikea's furniture. Obviusly for a fraction of the price spent here....
ReplyDelete-Mariella
Honestly I do think this is all 'staged' for TV by Bravo.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest budget decorating project to date for a client was $10,000...for THE ENTIRE house! 5 bedrooms, 2 full baths, kitchen, dining area, living room, family room, hallway. Yes, most of my work is 'redesign' using a lot of what my clients already have. Usually the budget is somewhere around $1000 or less and that has to include my fee. It's not unusual for me to have only $500 to work with for materials. Oh man, what I could do with $11,000 for one room...I tell ya, it would get my clients more than just a bench ;-)
I'd LOVE to show the 'big time designers' how to really work on a small budget :-) Another term I get tired of hearing/reading is "budget decorating". In point of fact, EVERY project has a budget. Some are big budgets; others not so big. :-)
And that is why I read your blog!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tmz.com/2012/12/09/lindsay-lohan-million-dollar-decorators-bravo
ReplyDeleteWhy does this not surprise me? :(
DeleteThis makes me SICK! What an idiot he is! Think of all the needy families you could feed for $11,000.00! What a waste. Some of these shows on tv have become so shallow! I wish people would boycott them! Sorry...this has really gotten under my skin. Lol!
ReplyDeleteI think the same exact thing. As I keep watching....
DeleteWhen I was first out of design school, I interned for a very well known architect in NYC. We put a shagreen waste basket in the client's study that cost more than my car. There were a lot of extravagent purchases but that was the most shocking.
ReplyDeleteI watched the episode dumbfounded! I think West Elm sponsored the project...
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Emily! I don't have cable and so I haven't watched show, but it is probably a good thing. For a one-income (small, ministry income..haha) with 3 kids, I think it would be hard to stomach. People are surely free to do whatever they like to with their money and the above comments make it sound like Bravo is paying for it. However, with such loads of money I would just be sitting there wishing and hoping a designer would JUMP at the challenge to decorate with only catalog materials and see if he/she could make it as spectacular as they normally could! For those budgets I could BUY and decorate a house:)
ReplyDeleteNever watched it - never even heard of it - but I think reality shows are a giant, scripted joke. Far cheaper to pay the $300,000 for the decorating but not pay location fees, actors, scriptwriters...and on and on.
ReplyDeleteI'll stick to your blog and some of my other favorites for decorating advice.
you mean you didn't find it 'absolutely delicious dahling'? ;-)
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you posted about this. I was thinking the same thing. It has to be for show. I mean what is another 200,000 if you are rollin' in the dough...but if you are rollin' in the dough...would you really need to have your designer choose things only from a catalog. I think Bravo is playing their tricks...as they always do. That bench scene made me sick and it wasn't even that fabulous. I do love the show because I love watching how designers work(especially when they have big budgets). But the bench deal was a bit disgusting. Martyn Lawrence-Bullard is a crack up...his voice is totally my hoity toity voice I do when I talk like a fabulous designer:).
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know where the 2 sofa are from???? I thought the white one in the LV room and the beige one in the family room looked comfy and had nice fabrics on them
ReplyDeleteI think it is hard to find upholstered pieces for a cheaper price than the tables, lamps and rugs.
Any help would be appreciated.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteIt's all relative...the owner spent more than $5,000,000 on the property alone. Nantucket is not a cheap place to live! The owner wanted to be in the house in time for the “season” which is why she asked to furnish from a catalog (more about lead time, not saving money, and this is a home they only spend 2-3 months in tops). JAM’s reaction to catalogs is not surprising for a designer who custom designs all of his furnishings. Remember he is part of an elite 1% of designers who have clients in this price range.
ReplyDeleteA $300,000 budget to paint, replace countertops/flooring, lighting, furnish, etc. is pennies to this particular client. The budget tripled not just because of furnishing the home but for all the changes that went into painting, finishes, etc. Labor on Nantucket is expensive as is getting everything shipped there (all part of the budget).
My friend owns one of the local Nantucket stores where they bought some artwork. BRAVO nor JAM picked up the tab, the owners did.
The show is called MILLION DOLLAR DECORATOR for a reason. I’m sure BRAVO pays for design services, maybe? But not to furnish homes. The exposure these designers get from the show is payment enough.
And the $11,000 bench? Who cares? This client can afford it and loved the house. She could have cared less about the price tag. This was all about getting into the house for the season and spending next to nothing to do it. And she ok’d the $300,000 budget.
Again…all relative.
I would love to have them come to my house and decorate a room. I'll give them a great budget to work with. "Here is $2000, now re-decorate my room with that!" Ha! I bet they can't do it, but I can!!!!! And I bet you can too, Emily! I can even buy the furniture for the room on that budget, try me! Love your posts, keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteOMG I had the exact same reaction about the $11k bench!! I was like, huh what?!?!? Kind of like one of the first episodes where Mary disagrees with the wallpaper that her client wants and goes with it anyways, then the lady hates it as its going up and is like, WHO IS GOING TO PAY FOR THIS??? ANd Mary is all, YOU are ding dong. You signed off on it. Her repsonse? Oh well. CHANGE IT. I think they said it was like a $12k mistake. Seriously. I need these people's budgets.
ReplyDeleteOMG! I'm so glad someone has called JAM out on his shenanigans. I realize they are they are the 1% but does that mean having bad taste? That 11K bench was nothing, and I do mean nothing, spectacular. I've seen better vintage pieces by the side of the road with more character and charm. Pathetic.
ReplyDeleteLove it, but it's super twisted. I also read that Bravo pays for everything, but I think that made me even MORE sick. Spending millions and millions on decor for entertainment purposes? No wonder people are so out of touch with what reality is!
ReplyDeleteOK, I'm off my soapbox. Yes, I love the show too...
I think there certainly ARE people out there who can pay $100k, $300k or $1M+ to decorate a house. But I also know that "reality" tv is heavily capitalized by networks and advertisers/sponsors (hello, West Elm). And I, too read the "catalog only" as more a function of time--they didn't have months to wait for all custom pieces--than anything else. I would only hope that if these people have enough millions to spend that on decorating, they are also spending millions on charity contributions. XHOPEX And after all of that BS that Lindsey shoveled about wanting a "grown up home" and "feeling safe" in that ahem, rental...she is moving on (as she CLEARLY isn't a grown up). http://www.tmz.com/2013/01/05/lindsay-lohan-beverly-hills-house/
ReplyDeleteYes, yes I'm watching this train wreck show too. Can't help but chuckle at all of their pretentious selves on that show. Appalled at the bench reveal at the end and I agree, how in the world does a designer get away with that. They are all self-absorbed for sure, but it is fun to watch!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.realitytea.com/2013/01/10/bravo-to-repo-furniture-provided-to-lindsay-lohan-on-million-dollar-decorators/
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteSo interesting to read that Bravo foots some or all of the bill. I thought the West Elm thing was a bit contrived, so I'm now convinced that it was staged. Jeffrey's comment about the rug being almost the same as his designer version was great. Although that line was probably written by producers (or West Elm), it's a great reminder to us normal folks that great design doesn't have to cost $1 million. Although having no budget would be nice, I certainly don't live opulently, so it's hard to imagine spending the kinds of money they do. But, hey, some people do live this way!
ReplyDeleteI would love to see Mary do a budget-friendly project. I think her designs make more of an impact, and I bet she could do cool things with much less money.
I'll have to agree with everyone that the $11K bench was ridiculous. It made no statement at all, so I can't imagine what the point of it was!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete